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Gone Wild
Go BACK TO BOOKMAN with GONE WILD, the second novel in USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR Dakota Madison's LOVE IN MIDLIFE coming-of-middle-age romantic comedy series.
Tenured English professor Bly Daniels believes the short walk from her campus office to the university library is too much exposure to the harsh elements of the outdoors. She would prefer to spend her days (and nights) comfortably seated indoors reading classic literature.
When Bly is arrested for reading one of the great books while driving home, a judge sentences her to thirty days of community service with The Wild Way, a therapeutic wilderness program for troubled teens.
There she meets Turner Wild, the owner and operate of the wilderness program. Turner is everything Bly despises: rugged, unrefined and outdoorsy. For Bly a trip to hell sounds more desirable than spending an entire month with Turner and his band of hooligans as they traverse the woods of rural northwest New Jersey communing with nature.
Bly certainly never expects to form a bond with the troubled teens she's been assigned to mentor and forge an unlikely relationship with their fearless leader, Turner Wild.
Each full-length novel in Dakota Madison's LOVE IN MIDLIFE romantic comedy series can be read as a stand-alone or as part of the series. Each story features one of the graduates of Bookman College attending the 25th reunion.
Tenured English professor Bly Daniels believes the short walk from her campus office to the university library is too much exposure to the harsh elements of the outdoors. She would prefer to spend her days (and nights) comfortably seated indoors reading classic literature.
When Bly is arrested for reading one of the great books while driving home, a judge sentences her to thirty days of community service with The Wild Way, a therapeutic wilderness program for troubled teens.
There she meets Turner Wild, the owner and operate of the wilderness program. Turner is everything Bly despises: rugged, unrefined and outdoorsy. For Bly a trip to hell sounds more desirable than spending an entire month with Turner and his band of hooligans as they traverse the woods of rural northwest New Jersey communing with nature.
Bly certainly never expects to form a bond with the troubled teens she's been assigned to mentor and forge an unlikely relationship with their fearless leader, Turner Wild.
Each full-length novel in Dakota Madison's LOVE IN MIDLIFE romantic comedy series can be read as a stand-alone or as part of the series. Each story features one of the graduates of Bookman College attending the 25th reunion.
- GenresContemporary Romance
224 pages, Paperback
First published May 20, 2016
About the author
Dakota Madison
30 books318 followersUSA TODAY Bestselling author Dakota Madison is known for writing new adult, love in midlife, and contemporary romance with a little spice and lots of heart. Dakota is a winner of the prestigious RONE Award for Excellence in the Indie and Small Publishing Industry. When she's not at her computer creating spicy stories Dakota likes to spend time with her husband and their bloodhounds. Dakota also writes under the pen names SAVANNAH YOUNG, SIERRA AVALON and REN MONTERREY.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
May 24, 2016
One of my all-time favourite authors and it doesn't matter what pen name she is using, I love all her books. Using her pen name Dakota Madison comes a new Novella series called Back to Bookman which features a smalltown university called Bookman University. In Gone Wild , we meet 46yr old Tenured Professor Dr. Blythe Daniels. She has always been a bookworm and one who has preferred the company of the printed word than people. She believes in education and doing your best, which has earned her a reputation for being a hard-ass. The thing is though, that she doesn't mean to be but it is the way she comes across. As she is getting older, she is starting to think about her future and loneliness creeps in. After an unsuccessful attendance of her 25th High School Reunion , Bly hops into her car and crashes as she swerves a little boy. Unfortunately the sheriff is not forgiving as back in his University days , Dr.Daniels failed him and this caused him to go into policing instead of his dream career. He arrests her and she has to go to court. From here she is sentenced to 30 days community service at the local Wilderness Camp for Troubled Teens. Blythe is anything but an Outdoors woman and her idea of roughing it camping is staying in a roadside motel room. As the book goes along, she is about to get an eye-opener into the lives of others and in doing so will also find herself and discover a part of herself, that she had lost so many moons ago. Also who says, that when you get to your late-forties you can't find love as the possibility of romance blooms for both Dr.Daniels and Turner Wild - the guy in charge of the Gone Wild Wilderness Camp. Gone Wild was a great read and is perfect for those looking for a novella to read and if you are aged 40+ , then this is a perfect read as the characters are not young folks and disillusioned lovers with fantasy ideas , but real-life characters who know what it is liked to have truly loved and lost or not to be loved at all.
Dakota Madison's Back to Bookman Novella series is the perfect read for those fans who have loved and enjoyed Daisy Prescott's series Geoducks are For Lovers and the accompanying novellas.
Dakota Madison's Back to Bookman Novella series is the perfect read for those fans who have loved and enjoyed Daisy Prescott's series Geoducks are For Lovers and the accompanying novellas.
March 8, 2018
“Gone Wild” was not my first book by Dakota Madison. Longer time ago I already read “Community Service”, so I kind of knew that I would at least like the writing style of this author.
The Blurb sounded nice because I like bookish characters but what I wasn’t so sure about was how I would feel about the age of the characters. I can not remember reading many novels that featured people old enough to have 25th reunion at their college. Not sure why but it just IS like that.
But I was happy to see that the fact that the leading characters were older than I am used to did not interfere to much with the story- to be honest they could have been younger or older without it mattering to much.
Bly reminded me a lot of someone I know so I kind of understood her way of thinking and I like how her character was constructed. The banter between Turner and Bly is just hilarious at times.
So in total I can recommend this book because what you read in the Blurb is exactly what you get. And funny was also the fact that I could see the whole setting like a movie developing in front of me – so I am pretty sure you will have an enjoyable time while you are reading this.
May 31, 2016
Character growth is my favorite part of a novel, and this one set the stage for a lot of that. I found that I identified with Bly in a lot of ways, though I liked her more as the story progressed and she began to develop. I also greatly enjoyed the dynamic between Turner and Bly. They balanced one another really nicely and their banter was a lot of fun to read. It kept me interested and kept the story light when it needed that quality.
For me, the best part of this story was the therapeutic element with the teenagers. I'm completely biased in this area because I studied Psychology in school so that sort of thing constantly appeals to me. I relished the connection Bly developed with Kia and wanted to know so much more about the work Turner did with kids. It would've been totally okay with me if that had been the core focus of this story. In some ways, it was, really. Through the development of relationships with this group of kids, Turner and Bly kind of grew and developed on their own.
Readers do need to realize that because of the nature of the setting (a therapeutic camp for youth), there are some things discussed that might be uncomfortable. There is mention of drug use, neglect, child abuse, and domestic violence. There is also a rather extensive discussion of rape. They are necessary to the plot, but it's always better to go into something like this prepared for a potentially triggering scenario.
It was a cute story and a quick read. Personally, I found the pacing just a little too fast to be realistic, but that's what happens when you take romance and mesh it with something that will keep the interest of your audience. That's why people fall in love and get married in the span of a 2 hour movie, and that's why relationships tend to move so quickly in stories like this. All in all, it was well written and I would recommend it for anyone looking for a light and entertaining read.
For me, the best part of this story was the therapeutic element with the teenagers. I'm completely biased in this area because I studied Psychology in school so that sort of thing constantly appeals to me. I relished the connection Bly developed with Kia and wanted to know so much more about the work Turner did with kids. It would've been totally okay with me if that had been the core focus of this story. In some ways, it was, really. Through the development of relationships with this group of kids, Turner and Bly kind of grew and developed on their own.
Readers do need to realize that because of the nature of the setting (a therapeutic camp for youth), there are some things discussed that might be uncomfortable. There is mention of drug use, neglect, child abuse, and domestic violence. There is also a rather extensive discussion of rape. They are necessary to the plot, but it's always better to go into something like this prepared for a potentially triggering scenario.
It was a cute story and a quick read. Personally, I found the pacing just a little too fast to be realistic, but that's what happens when you take romance and mesh it with something that will keep the interest of your audience. That's why people fall in love and get married in the span of a 2 hour movie, and that's why relationships tend to move so quickly in stories like this. All in all, it was well written and I would recommend it for anyone looking for a light and entertaining read.
May 16, 2016
Favorite Quotes:
“Mud and I have never gotten along. I don't have a civil relationship with dirt either. Truth be told I could be considered a bit of a neat freak. There's nothing neat or clean about this park."
"I decide there are only two likely vocations for this man: killing bears or killing Bin Laden... I'm immediately uncomfortable. I wonder if there is any way I could contact the judge and tell her I've changed my mind. Fifteen months in jail is starting to seem much more desirable than a month in the woods with this frightening character."
"As the creepy crawly thing gets closer I realize it's a spider: a very large and treacherous looking arachnid... I'm convinced that the horrible creature is going to attack and kill me, so I brace myself for the inevitable. Is there a less dignified way to die than sitting on the toilet with one's sweatpants hanging below one's knees?"
"He looks frightened. A guy who can capture a snake with his bare hands seems to be afraid of having sex with me. What does that say?"
My Review:
Gone Wild had me smirking and chirping as I made my way through the story. I was nearly wagging my tail with glee as I read as I adored this humorous and cleverly written tale from beginning to end. The writing was crisp, witty, and smartly amusing. I would gladly read more of the same all day and every day. The story was relevant, moving, and highly entertaining. I adored the dry humor and the hilarious self-revelations, inner musings, and mental observations the prim, stogy, and cranky curmudgeon of an English professor made as she evolved back into an actual human being during her experiences. The journey from a cold, aloof, arrogant, and callous intellectual into a softer and more connected one was an enlightening and comical adventure start to finish, and I was sad to see it end. More please!
“Mud and I have never gotten along. I don't have a civil relationship with dirt either. Truth be told I could be considered a bit of a neat freak. There's nothing neat or clean about this park."
"I decide there are only two likely vocations for this man: killing bears or killing Bin Laden... I'm immediately uncomfortable. I wonder if there is any way I could contact the judge and tell her I've changed my mind. Fifteen months in jail is starting to seem much more desirable than a month in the woods with this frightening character."
"As the creepy crawly thing gets closer I realize it's a spider: a very large and treacherous looking arachnid... I'm convinced that the horrible creature is going to attack and kill me, so I brace myself for the inevitable. Is there a less dignified way to die than sitting on the toilet with one's sweatpants hanging below one's knees?"
"He looks frightened. A guy who can capture a snake with his bare hands seems to be afraid of having sex with me. What does that say?"
My Review:
Gone Wild had me smirking and chirping as I made my way through the story. I was nearly wagging my tail with glee as I read as I adored this humorous and cleverly written tale from beginning to end. The writing was crisp, witty, and smartly amusing. I would gladly read more of the same all day and every day. The story was relevant, moving, and highly entertaining. I adored the dry humor and the hilarious self-revelations, inner musings, and mental observations the prim, stogy, and cranky curmudgeon of an English professor made as she evolved back into an actual human being during her experiences. The journey from a cold, aloof, arrogant, and callous intellectual into a softer and more connected one was an enlightening and comical adventure start to finish, and I was sad to see it end. More please!
May 20, 2016
I give this book 4 stars. It was a very well written book,easy to read and quite enjoyable. This is the first book I've read by this author and can't wait to read more. It was actually funnier than I thought but also has very strong messages in it.
College professor Bly Daniels thinks that even a short walk outside is torture. Known for being the stodgy professor, and the girl that always had her nose in a book life hasn't went as planned. So when she is arrested and her choices are 30 days at a wilderness camp or 15 months in jail, she thinks she picks the lesser of the evils. Until she arrives at the camp....lol
Turner Wild runs the wilderness camp and is everything Bly despises, rugged,unrefined and outdoorsy. But there is just something about him she drawn too. And the more she gets to know him the more she likes. And she never expected to form a strong relationship with one of the troubled teens at camp. With camping, troubled teens and a sexy camp director things turn around for Bly.
I don't want to give to much away but this is a must read. A perfect summer read that I would recommend.
College professor Bly Daniels thinks that even a short walk outside is torture. Known for being the stodgy professor, and the girl that always had her nose in a book life hasn't went as planned. So when she is arrested and her choices are 30 days at a wilderness camp or 15 months in jail, she thinks she picks the lesser of the evils. Until she arrives at the camp....lol
Turner Wild runs the wilderness camp and is everything Bly despises, rugged,unrefined and outdoorsy. But there is just something about him she drawn too. And the more she gets to know him the more she likes. And she never expected to form a strong relationship with one of the troubled teens at camp. With camping, troubled teens and a sexy camp director things turn around for Bly.
I don't want to give to much away but this is a must read. A perfect summer read that I would recommend.
May 13, 2016
Gone Wild is entertaining and very easy to read.
A nice, well written story and good, realistic characters make this book very enjoyable.
The perfect summer read.
A nice, well written story and good, realistic characters make this book very enjoyable.
The perfect summer read.
August 17, 2016
Short......and cute.
July 24, 2017
Slow to Sizzle
Dr. Bly Daniels is a tenured professor of English, a refined lady of privilege. But, according to her students, she is stiff and uncaring. And after a few failed romances in her younger days, she is content to live alone with just her books. Or is she?
Turner Wild grew up in the great outdoors, pretty much. And he looks the part. He is tall and muscular with a military style crew cut. Turner operates a camp for troubled teens on land he inherited from his grandparents. Definitely not Dr. Daniels' type. Or is he?
Karen M. Bryson spends a tale of midlife changes and love in Gone Wild. Be sure to check all the surprises in store for you.
Dr. Bly Daniels is a tenured professor of English, a refined lady of privilege. But, according to her students, she is stiff and uncaring. And after a few failed romances in her younger days, she is content to live alone with just her books. Or is she?
Turner Wild grew up in the great outdoors, pretty much. And he looks the part. He is tall and muscular with a military style crew cut. Turner operates a camp for troubled teens on land he inherited from his grandparents. Definitely not Dr. Daniels' type. Or is he?
Karen M. Bryson spends a tale of midlife changes and love in Gone Wild. Be sure to check all the surprises in store for you.
May 31, 2016
Gone Wild is the first book in the Back to Bookman series by Dakota Madison. It's described as a 'coming of middle age' romance.
This is the story of Bly Daniels. She is a tenured professor of English in a very distinguished, proper university. Her greatest love is books, and when she's not teaching, she's reading. Her social life is non existent and that suits her just fine after a romance went bad quite a few years ago. Her students all think she is mean and stuffy, just the sort of professor she had never dreamed she would become. She has no qualms about failing students who don't put in the work, they can beg and plead but she marks papers fairly and if they haven't done the work, then she will fail them. One of the students a long while ago that she failed is the local policeman. When she drives into a post because she would have hit a boy and his ball had she not swerved, the policeman arrests her and charges her with reckless driving. He sees a book on her lap and accuses of her driving without paying due attention to the road. He won't even entertain the fact that she wasn't reading. This is his chance to get revenge on her for failing him in University.
Bly ends up in court and is told that she has to do one month's full time community service, working at a camp for troubled children. The children part of it she is happy with, but the fact that she will be camping in the sticks, scares her to death. She is not a physical person, heck she won't even walk to work, she always has to take her car. But it's the camp, or 15 months in prison. She chooses camp.
The owner and leader of the camp is Turner Wild. He's a good looking, buff guy who has a real affinity with the place. He's been happily married but his wife died two years ago and in that time he's never given any real thought to having another relationship. When he meets Bly, who he calls Doc, she is a little scared of him, but will admit to finding him attractive. No matter how attractive he is though, it doesn't take from the fact that she is in the back of nowhere, with creepy crawlies, out door toilet and bathing facilities and disgusting packed lunches types of food. For a minute she actually thinks jail would have been the better option. That's until the small group of children arrive at camp. They all seem lovely and so very needy of adult respect, care, and companionship. One particular girl, Kia, catches her eye. She is carrying a book and it seems very well read. She is also very shy and Bly does all she can to make Kia feel welcome. She even lends her some of her books that she dragged along to the camp. Kia, like all the other children have been in either foster care, orphanages, or had been adopted, and each of them were troubled. Despite definitely not wanting to be at camp, Bly comes to appreciate the place and wants to do as much as she can to help the children.
The story tells how she, Turner, and another worker get the kids (and herself) ready to go camping, then the adventure begins. The time at camp sees some tears, some soul searching, and in Turner and Bly's case, a romantic relationship forms. Can it come to anything though? With both of them being hurt in the past they both have to open themselves up to the possibility of more hurt, and that isn't going to be an easy thing.
On the whole this was a sweet, short story. I do think that the book could have taken advantage of the scenario it set and could have been much longer. There could have been more children, more very naughty ones, and as they were in the bush, there could have been far more problems than those faced by the smaller group of children. I really would have liked a more complex, longer story. But the author obviously wanted to go with a shorter story, and what she managed to fit into it was very good.
So, what happens to the children, and does Bly get used to roughing it and not having a book in her hands nearly 24/7? Will her relationship with Turner develop, and what of her real job? When she left, her boss pretty much told her that she will more than likely be forced to quit. Her being arrested does not look good for the university. What will she do if she does lose her job? It's something she has always wanted to do, and always has done since she was a student herself.
This story was definitely about both hers, the children's and Turner's soul searching, learning how to trust others and forming firm friendships.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This is the story of Bly Daniels. She is a tenured professor of English in a very distinguished, proper university. Her greatest love is books, and when she's not teaching, she's reading. Her social life is non existent and that suits her just fine after a romance went bad quite a few years ago. Her students all think she is mean and stuffy, just the sort of professor she had never dreamed she would become. She has no qualms about failing students who don't put in the work, they can beg and plead but she marks papers fairly and if they haven't done the work, then she will fail them. One of the students a long while ago that she failed is the local policeman. When she drives into a post because she would have hit a boy and his ball had she not swerved, the policeman arrests her and charges her with reckless driving. He sees a book on her lap and accuses of her driving without paying due attention to the road. He won't even entertain the fact that she wasn't reading. This is his chance to get revenge on her for failing him in University.
Bly ends up in court and is told that she has to do one month's full time community service, working at a camp for troubled children. The children part of it she is happy with, but the fact that she will be camping in the sticks, scares her to death. She is not a physical person, heck she won't even walk to work, she always has to take her car. But it's the camp, or 15 months in prison. She chooses camp.
The owner and leader of the camp is Turner Wild. He's a good looking, buff guy who has a real affinity with the place. He's been happily married but his wife died two years ago and in that time he's never given any real thought to having another relationship. When he meets Bly, who he calls Doc, she is a little scared of him, but will admit to finding him attractive. No matter how attractive he is though, it doesn't take from the fact that she is in the back of nowhere, with creepy crawlies, out door toilet and bathing facilities and disgusting packed lunches types of food. For a minute she actually thinks jail would have been the better option. That's until the small group of children arrive at camp. They all seem lovely and so very needy of adult respect, care, and companionship. One particular girl, Kia, catches her eye. She is carrying a book and it seems very well read. She is also very shy and Bly does all she can to make Kia feel welcome. She even lends her some of her books that she dragged along to the camp. Kia, like all the other children have been in either foster care, orphanages, or had been adopted, and each of them were troubled. Despite definitely not wanting to be at camp, Bly comes to appreciate the place and wants to do as much as she can to help the children.
The story tells how she, Turner, and another worker get the kids (and herself) ready to go camping, then the adventure begins. The time at camp sees some tears, some soul searching, and in Turner and Bly's case, a romantic relationship forms. Can it come to anything though? With both of them being hurt in the past they both have to open themselves up to the possibility of more hurt, and that isn't going to be an easy thing.
On the whole this was a sweet, short story. I do think that the book could have taken advantage of the scenario it set and could have been much longer. There could have been more children, more very naughty ones, and as they were in the bush, there could have been far more problems than those faced by the smaller group of children. I really would have liked a more complex, longer story. But the author obviously wanted to go with a shorter story, and what she managed to fit into it was very good.
So, what happens to the children, and does Bly get used to roughing it and not having a book in her hands nearly 24/7? Will her relationship with Turner develop, and what of her real job? When she left, her boss pretty much told her that she will more than likely be forced to quit. Her being arrested does not look good for the university. What will she do if she does lose her job? It's something she has always wanted to do, and always has done since she was a student herself.
This story was definitely about both hers, the children's and Turner's soul searching, learning how to trust others and forming firm friendships.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
May 23, 2016
Things Aren't Always As They Seem
I’m known for getting wrapped up in the stories I read, and “Gone Wild” was no exception. I was excited about this story! Mature leads who weren’t nineteen – now, you’re talking! YAAY for my team! This was going to be good! But, by midway through the fourth chapter, I’d wanted to fling my Kindle more than once, and had thought of several ways to kill off a fictional character…including a vat of “Dip”, ala ‘Roger Rabbit!’
Bly Daniels may be a tenured college professor with a Ph.D, but that is all she is. She is totally unlikable. She comes off as a snooty, elitist who is rude and condescending to everyone. Except for Rayleen and Gus, she’s not even polite. I hated her and I was horrified! I had VOLUNTEERED to read this? How could I get out of it? I knew I couldn’t. Like any avid reader and dedicated reviewer, I put on my big girl panties and soldiered on…
…and got to know Bly. I started to understand her and why she was so cold and unfeeling. Nothing seemed to go her way, including the job she loved. But then she realized it was because she had stopped investing HERSELF in life. People didn’t like her, and she really couldn’t blame them.
A chance encounter between her car and a parking meter sends her to a therapeutic wilderness camp for at-risk teens for court-ordered community service, and we see the stiff, stodgy Bly, who hates the outdoors and exerting energy in things like …walking, find her humanity. Still out of her element, I loved that Bly was able to connect with one teen through books, and a real bond grew from that relationship. One that would test Bly before the story’s end.
But of course, the best part is watching Bly get to know camp owner, Turner Wild. Bly’s rude, condescending nature is suddenly snarky and fun…because Turner gives it right back to her! There are several laugh out loud moments whenever they’re together. Turner seems to enjoy getting under her skin, and she’s annoyed (and surprised) at herself because she’s actually starting to like him…and is ATTRACTED to him. OMG!
As Bly and Turner share details of their past lives, you get a clear picture of Bly Daniels, and you just want to help make her better (and find that guy and punch him out). However, she seems to be getting there all on her own. Turner is a great guy. Decent, hardworking, committed to doing something for someone else; you cannot help but like the guy. You feel for his loss and loneliness, but applaud him for still trying to move forward. Surprisingly, my one negative issue with this story comes not from Bly, but Turner. He wants a relationship with Bly, but all the “my wife” references while talking TO Bly creeped me out a bit. If I were Bly, I would be a little apprehensive, and a lot anxious, to say the least.
By the epilogue, I’m glad I didn’t fling my Kindle against the wall. I not only like Bly now, I’m in her corner routing for her. Always good to see middle-age folks getting another chance at love and happiness.
Enjoy!
I’m known for getting wrapped up in the stories I read, and “Gone Wild” was no exception. I was excited about this story! Mature leads who weren’t nineteen – now, you’re talking! YAAY for my team! This was going to be good! But, by midway through the fourth chapter, I’d wanted to fling my Kindle more than once, and had thought of several ways to kill off a fictional character…including a vat of “Dip”, ala ‘Roger Rabbit!’
Bly Daniels may be a tenured college professor with a Ph.D, but that is all she is. She is totally unlikable. She comes off as a snooty, elitist who is rude and condescending to everyone. Except for Rayleen and Gus, she’s not even polite. I hated her and I was horrified! I had VOLUNTEERED to read this? How could I get out of it? I knew I couldn’t. Like any avid reader and dedicated reviewer, I put on my big girl panties and soldiered on…
…and got to know Bly. I started to understand her and why she was so cold and unfeeling. Nothing seemed to go her way, including the job she loved. But then she realized it was because she had stopped investing HERSELF in life. People didn’t like her, and she really couldn’t blame them.
A chance encounter between her car and a parking meter sends her to a therapeutic wilderness camp for at-risk teens for court-ordered community service, and we see the stiff, stodgy Bly, who hates the outdoors and exerting energy in things like …walking, find her humanity. Still out of her element, I loved that Bly was able to connect with one teen through books, and a real bond grew from that relationship. One that would test Bly before the story’s end.
But of course, the best part is watching Bly get to know camp owner, Turner Wild. Bly’s rude, condescending nature is suddenly snarky and fun…because Turner gives it right back to her! There are several laugh out loud moments whenever they’re together. Turner seems to enjoy getting under her skin, and she’s annoyed (and surprised) at herself because she’s actually starting to like him…and is ATTRACTED to him. OMG!
As Bly and Turner share details of their past lives, you get a clear picture of Bly Daniels, and you just want to help make her better (and find that guy and punch him out). However, she seems to be getting there all on her own. Turner is a great guy. Decent, hardworking, committed to doing something for someone else; you cannot help but like the guy. You feel for his loss and loneliness, but applaud him for still trying to move forward. Surprisingly, my one negative issue with this story comes not from Bly, but Turner. He wants a relationship with Bly, but all the “my wife” references while talking TO Bly creeped me out a bit. If I were Bly, I would be a little apprehensive, and a lot anxious, to say the least.
By the epilogue, I’m glad I didn’t fling my Kindle against the wall. I not only like Bly now, I’m in her corner routing for her. Always good to see middle-age folks getting another chance at love and happiness.
Enjoy!
December 30, 2016
A sweet funny romantic story about a woman looking for her one true love.
Dr. Bly Daniels is a English Professor for Bookman College. All her life her nose was stuck in a book. Now it's the same with a little bit of work on the side. Kids don't like her, and she still doesn't fit in with her graduated classmates at the reunions. Let alone the one person she thought she could love turned out sooo different. So when life takes a turn for the worst for her, she is sent away to help out on a troubled kids program the last stop for them before juvie. There she meets a kind man and his assistant plus a couple kids with one who reminds her of her. Can she do her job and keep her heart closed off? Or will she finally open up and take that leap of faith?
Dr. Bly Daniels is a English Professor for Bookman College. All her life her nose was stuck in a book. Now it's the same with a little bit of work on the side. Kids don't like her, and she still doesn't fit in with her graduated classmates at the reunions. Let alone the one person she thought she could love turned out sooo different. So when life takes a turn for the worst for her, she is sent away to help out on a troubled kids program the last stop for them before juvie. There she meets a kind man and his assistant plus a couple kids with one who reminds her of her. Can she do her job and keep her heart closed off? Or will she finally open up and take that leap of faith?
May 20, 2016
Title:Gone Wild
Author: Dakota Madison
Release Date: May 2016
Genre(s): Women’s Fiction
Page Count: 200
Heat Level: 1 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Review:
4 gone wild stars!! Totally different but I liked it!
This isn’t my typical book genre, but the blurb caught my attention. It was a pretty good book overall. But I loved the relationships the MC makes along the way! And while I did really like this book, I’m not sure I would read more. It’s just not my genre, but the writing was spectacular and I was never bored. I just need more heat in my books.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Melissa from Alpha Book Club
Author: Dakota Madison
Release Date: May 2016
Genre(s): Women’s Fiction
Page Count: 200
Heat Level: 1 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Tenured English professor Bly Daniels believes the short walk from her campus office to the university library is too much exposure to the harsh elements of the outdoors. She would prefer to spend her days (and nights) comfortably seated indoors reading classic literature.
When Bly is arrested for reading one of the great books while driving home, a judge sentences her to thirty days of community service with The Wild Way, a therapeutic wilderness program for troubled teens.
There she meets Turner Wild, the owner and operate of the wilderness program. Turner is everything Bly despises: rugged, unrefined and outdoorsy. For Bly a trip to hell sounds more desirable than spending an entire month with Turner and his band of hooligans as they traverse the woods of rural northwest New Jersey communing with nature.
Bly certainly never expects to form a bond with the troubled teens she’s been assigned to mentor and forge an unlikely relationship with their fearless leader, Turner Wild
Review:
4 gone wild stars!! Totally different but I liked it!
This isn’t my typical book genre, but the blurb caught my attention. It was a pretty good book overall. But I loved the relationships the MC makes along the way! And while I did really like this book, I’m not sure I would read more. It’s just not my genre, but the writing was spectacular and I was never bored. I just need more heat in my books.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Melissa from Alpha Book Club
May 17, 2016
**Reviewed by Laura on behalf of Amo & Sarah’s Book Corner**
I stumbled across this author last year and have been happily devouring her work ever since. I thoroughly enjoyed this quick and entertaining read.
Bly Daniels, tenured English Professor at Bookman College, is stuck in a rut! Forty-six and single, she is more content around the stacks of books in the library than conversing with her fellow man. Following a series of car calamities, she finds herself the subject of a thirty-day community service order which she must serve helping wayward teens at The Wild Way wilderness camp. This is Bly’s idea of purgatory.
I didn’t warm to Bly straight away. I found her a bit priggish, but as her story unfolds you realise this strong woman has been through a lot. It’s no wonder she has her emotional walls built so high to keep everyone away. However, she didn’t bank on Turner Wild, owner of the camp, breaking down her defences.
I loved the banter between Bly and Turner where Bly’s dry sense of humour came to the fore. I had a few lol moments, none more so than at this quip:
“I still feel like a piece of classic literature wrongly shelved in the contemporary fiction section of the library.”
What I enjoyed most about this story was the kinship between Kia, one of the teens, and Bly. It tugged on my heart strings. They bond over their love of the written word and the connection becomes elemental.
I bet you’re asking yourself why I only gave this 4 stars, aren’t you? Well, truth be told, it’s because I’m greedy. I wanted more scenes with Bly and Turner; and Bly and Kia.
In the end though, Bly finds where she belongs where she least expects it. Come take a walk on the Wild side.
Note: Copy kindly received from author in exchange for an honest review.
I stumbled across this author last year and have been happily devouring her work ever since. I thoroughly enjoyed this quick and entertaining read.
Bly Daniels, tenured English Professor at Bookman College, is stuck in a rut! Forty-six and single, she is more content around the stacks of books in the library than conversing with her fellow man. Following a series of car calamities, she finds herself the subject of a thirty-day community service order which she must serve helping wayward teens at The Wild Way wilderness camp. This is Bly’s idea of purgatory.
I didn’t warm to Bly straight away. I found her a bit priggish, but as her story unfolds you realise this strong woman has been through a lot. It’s no wonder she has her emotional walls built so high to keep everyone away. However, she didn’t bank on Turner Wild, owner of the camp, breaking down her defences.
I loved the banter between Bly and Turner where Bly’s dry sense of humour came to the fore. I had a few lol moments, none more so than at this quip:
“I still feel like a piece of classic literature wrongly shelved in the contemporary fiction section of the library.”
What I enjoyed most about this story was the kinship between Kia, one of the teens, and Bly. It tugged on my heart strings. They bond over their love of the written word and the connection becomes elemental.
I bet you’re asking yourself why I only gave this 4 stars, aren’t you? Well, truth be told, it’s because I’m greedy. I wanted more scenes with Bly and Turner; and Bly and Kia.
In the end though, Bly finds where she belongs where she least expects it. Come take a walk on the Wild side.
Note: Copy kindly received from author in exchange for an honest review.
June 4, 2016
I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I'm a huge Dakota Madison fan, and picked this up as soon as I saw it come available for review. It took me a bit to get into it, and I'm just chalking it up to my busy life these past few weeks because once I got into it I couldn't set it down! A wonderful 4 bars to Dakota Madison on a wonderfully written novel about a teacher who has made tenure overcoming a time in her life that she never thought she would hit.
Bly Daniels has everything she'd ever want. A wonderful house, a great job at the local college, and endless amounts of free time to read what she wants when she wants. When she flees her class reunion that she had plans on staking claim on a former beau, she doesn't expect it to backfire and for her life to spiral out of control, and out into the wilderness. Meeting Turner Wild wasn't on her list of things to accomplish in her life. But it happened by chance, and that's what she's chalking it up to.
A chance meeting with the exceptional Bly Daniels has left Turner Wild in a world of conflict. From the moment he meets her, he isn't sure what to think of her. He thinks she's stuck up. A professor with a Ph. D. And a bad moment of her life where she smacked into a pole has landed her at his wilderness camp. Lucky him. He doesn't expect things to end up the way they do. And he never expected the wildest thing to happen to him, to be her.
I loved this couple. This is a novel based on an older couple finding the love and approval they need without knowing they need it. A very unexpected novel for an unconventional couple, I cannot wait for the other novels in this series!
Bly Daniels has everything she'd ever want. A wonderful house, a great job at the local college, and endless amounts of free time to read what she wants when she wants. When she flees her class reunion that she had plans on staking claim on a former beau, she doesn't expect it to backfire and for her life to spiral out of control, and out into the wilderness. Meeting Turner Wild wasn't on her list of things to accomplish in her life. But it happened by chance, and that's what she's chalking it up to.
A chance meeting with the exceptional Bly Daniels has left Turner Wild in a world of conflict. From the moment he meets her, he isn't sure what to think of her. He thinks she's stuck up. A professor with a Ph. D. And a bad moment of her life where she smacked into a pole has landed her at his wilderness camp. Lucky him. He doesn't expect things to end up the way they do. And he never expected the wildest thing to happen to him, to be her.
I loved this couple. This is a novel based on an older couple finding the love and approval they need without knowing they need it. A very unexpected novel for an unconventional couple, I cannot wait for the other novels in this series!
May 27, 2016
I've read a few of Dakota Madison books and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed them all. Dakota Madison has given us another sweet story ,that will suck you in and keep you there until the end ,and will leave you wanting more from this author. This story has a nerdy professor and a mountain man that is sweet ,funny, and emotional and I really like the fact that this story is about older people ,it weirded but you might also think it's funny that just because their older they have more wisdom ,but it clear really the ways to the heart makes everyone stubborn idols. The characters are quite adorable and really lovable ,their also quite quirky /nerdy but maybe not really cuties . This story is about a college professor Bly Daniels really thinks that taking a run could really be torture ,she's known to being the surfeit professor who's always had her nose in a book. But then she's arrested and given two choices either 30-days at the wilderness camp or 15th months in jail, so she picked the better of the two the camp,but what a surprise to her when she arrived there at the camp.The wilderness camp is ran by Turner Wild and to Bly surprise he's everything that she really despises he's rugged, very unrefined, and the worse outdoorsy .But there's something about him that is drawing her to him,and the more she learns about him the more she likes him. She ever really expected to fine an relationship a camp. Will she be able to leave when then time comes?I could tell you more but I don't want to spoil it for you .I highly recommend that you read this sweet story you won't be disappointed.
May 27, 2016
**FULL REVIEW**
"The more I get to know Turner Wild, the more I admire him. He's got a big heart underneath his gruff exterior."
Dr. Bly Daniels gives English professors the stigma of being uptight, cold, and inflexible people. So caught up in their books, they forget they are dealing with actual people...at least in Dr. Daniels' case, it's kind of true.
It's because of this, Bly finds herself not just alone, but completely disliked in many aspects of her life. All she has is her prestigious degree, a large empty home, and her books. It's not until an unfortunate accident that even she realizes what's missing from her life.
Sentenced to community service in a place she would never dream of going, Bly learns a few valuable lessons:
-Never pack more than you can carry.
-The 3 R's: Respect, Responsibility, and Resilience
-Don't try, just do.
That's the Wild Way, after all.
What a great little story! I really enjoyed the growth of Madison's characters. I loved their backstories, and how they ultimately come together. I found the writing to be articulate and well thought out, as well as engaging and witty. I understood the humor, although if it was meant to make me laugh out loud, that didn't happen. I could appreciate it within her dialog and it made the story light, despite some of the heavier content. A wonderful story that wasn't too long, but got the point across. No filler, no fluff, just a good ol' fashioned, well-told story.
**4 Finding Love in the Wild, Stars**
"The more I get to know Turner Wild, the more I admire him. He's got a big heart underneath his gruff exterior."
Dr. Bly Daniels gives English professors the stigma of being uptight, cold, and inflexible people. So caught up in their books, they forget they are dealing with actual people...at least in Dr. Daniels' case, it's kind of true.
It's because of this, Bly finds herself not just alone, but completely disliked in many aspects of her life. All she has is her prestigious degree, a large empty home, and her books. It's not until an unfortunate accident that even she realizes what's missing from her life.
Sentenced to community service in a place she would never dream of going, Bly learns a few valuable lessons:
-Never pack more than you can carry.
-The 3 R's: Respect, Responsibility, and Resilience
-Don't try, just do.
That's the Wild Way, after all.
What a great little story! I really enjoyed the growth of Madison's characters. I loved their backstories, and how they ultimately come together. I found the writing to be articulate and well thought out, as well as engaging and witty. I understood the humor, although if it was meant to make me laugh out loud, that didn't happen. I could appreciate it within her dialog and it made the story light, despite some of the heavier content. A wonderful story that wasn't too long, but got the point across. No filler, no fluff, just a good ol' fashioned, well-told story.
**4 Finding Love in the Wild, Stars**
May 28, 2016
This book starts of hilariously funny and the theme continues throughout the novel. Dakota Madison is one of my favorite authors as she has ability to write great characters, good storylines and capture her readers mind and hearts all at the same time. Madison's latest book, "Gone Wild" is a funny, contemporary romace that strays away from Madison's normal novels.
However, it isn't hard to fall in love with Bly Daniels, a much hated University professor, who comes off as stuffy with no sense of humour. However, after a couple of car accidents, Bly is sentenced to community service in the great outdoors. The only problem is that Bly avoids that great outdoors at all cost. The trip out to The Wild Way is a comedy scene in itself and Madison continues inject humour throughout the entire book.
The connection between Bly or Doc as the sex, rugged Turner Wild calls her, is almost immediate. Turner brings out something in Bly that she doesn't know is in her. The interactions between Bly and Turner is written very well, and showcases Madison's talents as an author.
I also loved the connection between Bly and the troubled teens, it is almost as if Bly sees herself in the children. Madison writes the storyline of the teens so well and it was very touching to read.
I definitely would recommend Gone Wild to anyone who has ever read Dakota Madison, is fan of contemporary romance, needs a good laugh, loves the outdoors or is looking for a good book. Gone Wild definitely should be added to your To-Be-Read Shelf this summer!
However, it isn't hard to fall in love with Bly Daniels, a much hated University professor, who comes off as stuffy with no sense of humour. However, after a couple of car accidents, Bly is sentenced to community service in the great outdoors. The only problem is that Bly avoids that great outdoors at all cost. The trip out to The Wild Way is a comedy scene in itself and Madison continues inject humour throughout the entire book.
The connection between Bly or Doc as the sex, rugged Turner Wild calls her, is almost immediate. Turner brings out something in Bly that she doesn't know is in her. The interactions between Bly and Turner is written very well, and showcases Madison's talents as an author.
I also loved the connection between Bly and the troubled teens, it is almost as if Bly sees herself in the children. Madison writes the storyline of the teens so well and it was very touching to read.
I definitely would recommend Gone Wild to anyone who has ever read Dakota Madison, is fan of contemporary romance, needs a good laugh, loves the outdoors or is looking for a good book. Gone Wild definitely should be added to your To-Be-Read Shelf this summer!
July 2, 2016
What a fun enjoyable read. You are never too old to start again. Dr Daniels is a professor at the local university she isn't everyone's favourite and that is sad as she is a really nice person.
She has put herself in a situation and she now has to do a stunt of community service and that means going to a wilderness camp to work with disadvantaged children.
It is not what she expected she had never gone camping or roughed it and this is the one chance to make a change.
Turner runs the wilderness camp and he is the one thing that she has been missing for all these years. This is his life and he enjoys giving the kids a chance to be free and save for awhile.
Can Bly & Turner look after these kids and give them a trip to remember or will Bly give up and run away?
Bly will learn so much more about herself and she will know that her life needs to change and she just knows where she wants to be.
A great story that makes you smile & laugh. Never give up there is always something out there that will grab your attention and make your life whole. I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
She has put herself in a situation and she now has to do a stunt of community service and that means going to a wilderness camp to work with disadvantaged children.
It is not what she expected she had never gone camping or roughed it and this is the one chance to make a change.
Turner runs the wilderness camp and he is the one thing that she has been missing for all these years. This is his life and he enjoys giving the kids a chance to be free and save for awhile.
Can Bly & Turner look after these kids and give them a trip to remember or will Bly give up and run away?
Bly will learn so much more about herself and she will know that her life needs to change and she just knows where she wants to be.
A great story that makes you smile & laugh. Never give up there is always something out there that will grab your attention and make your life whole. I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 3, 2016
3 Stars
Gone Wild is a pretty quick read. It’s a great book for those day when you just want to curl up and get lost in a book. I read this book in one afternoon, and it was a great one to pass the time.
Not many books feature more mature adults. In this story, the main characters are in their mid-forties. It is a bit refreshing to read a book with older characters. At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about Bly, the heroine of this story. Honestly, at first I felt she was a bit *itchy, though I think the author was going for that. She is refined, a loner, and just seems to hold herself above everybody. If she wouldn’t have shown growth as the story progressed I wouldn’t have liked her at all. Thankfully, she wasn’t so rigid that she couldn’t change and I came to really enjoy her. Tucker Wild is a manly man; the total opposite if Bly. He’s welcoming (but intimidating), outdoorsy, and strong – an all around great character.
When Bly is sentenced to community service in the great outdoors, I couldn’t wait to see how this city, indoorsy woman handles it. She took it like a champ. There were moments when I giggled at her, but all in all, she did good. As I said earlier, she really grew in this story, and I loved the changes in her. She was essentially the same character, but made better. All in all, this was a good story of transformation and a joy to read.
Gone Wild is a pretty quick read. It’s a great book for those day when you just want to curl up and get lost in a book. I read this book in one afternoon, and it was a great one to pass the time.
Not many books feature more mature adults. In this story, the main characters are in their mid-forties. It is a bit refreshing to read a book with older characters. At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about Bly, the heroine of this story. Honestly, at first I felt she was a bit *itchy, though I think the author was going for that. She is refined, a loner, and just seems to hold herself above everybody. If she wouldn’t have shown growth as the story progressed I wouldn’t have liked her at all. Thankfully, she wasn’t so rigid that she couldn’t change and I came to really enjoy her. Tucker Wild is a manly man; the total opposite if Bly. He’s welcoming (but intimidating), outdoorsy, and strong – an all around great character.
When Bly is sentenced to community service in the great outdoors, I couldn’t wait to see how this city, indoorsy woman handles it. She took it like a champ. There were moments when I giggled at her, but all in all, she did good. As I said earlier, she really grew in this story, and I loved the changes in her. She was essentially the same character, but made better. All in all, this was a good story of transformation and a joy to read.
May 23, 2016
This is the first book I have read from this author and I did enjoy it. The book did start off a little slow for my liking but it did pick up as it went on.
Bly was fun to get to know. I laughed when she got sentenced to community service in the wild. She didn't even like walking outside because of the elements but putting her out of her comfort zone was a funny thing to watch unravel. I related to her because of her being a bookworm and the authors she mentioned are some I have read. Watching her turn from a girl who didn't do things like bowling or even owning a cell phone and really wasn't sure of herself into a strong independent woman was a fun thing to see. I could put myself in her shoes in some of the things that happened to her.
Mr. Wild is a strong outdoor man. He runs the camp for kids who need to be set on the straight and narrow. But he has a heart of gold and when he meets Bly, you can tell there are sparks and I love his sayings. I laughed quite a bit with the dialogue between Bly and Wild. Kia ( camper) touched my heart and I couldn't wait until I found out what would happen with her. She deserves plenty of happiness after what she has seen/done to her in her very short life.
Overall, this book was an easy read and I did it in one sitting and couldn't put it down until the very end.
Bly was fun to get to know. I laughed when she got sentenced to community service in the wild. She didn't even like walking outside because of the elements but putting her out of her comfort zone was a funny thing to watch unravel. I related to her because of her being a bookworm and the authors she mentioned are some I have read. Watching her turn from a girl who didn't do things like bowling or even owning a cell phone and really wasn't sure of herself into a strong independent woman was a fun thing to see. I could put myself in her shoes in some of the things that happened to her.
Mr. Wild is a strong outdoor man. He runs the camp for kids who need to be set on the straight and narrow. But he has a heart of gold and when he meets Bly, you can tell there are sparks and I love his sayings. I laughed quite a bit with the dialogue between Bly and Wild. Kia ( camper) touched my heart and I couldn't wait until I found out what would happen with her. She deserves plenty of happiness after what she has seen/done to her in her very short life.
Overall, this book was an easy read and I did it in one sitting and couldn't put it down until the very end.
June 13, 2016
An older heroine in a romantic comedy? I couldn’t get my hands on this book fast enough. And I wasn’t disappointed. I could totally relate to Bly. The love of books, even that new book smell; I fell in love with her. She was completely out of touch with reality and somewhat of a witch (go ahead and substitute a b for that w there), but she had her reasons. Bly grew as a character in this quick read. The growth sometimes felt rushed, but then again, she was completely out of her element and it was literally sink or swim time.
I liked Turner as well. He was a bit of a jerk at the start, but I can only imagine his eye roll when he was forced to take on Bly as part of her community service. The kids in the camp were awesome, too. I nearly had to stop myself from signing up to volunteer at a camp for troubled teens (which would have been a complete disaster). The love story between Turner and Bly was well-paced and believable despite the insta-love element (I am biased here, though, because I love stories with insta-love.)
I like to think that I laugh more than the average person, but I didn’t find this romantic comedy funny. Cute? Definitely. But funny? Not really.
Overall, a fun quick read that I would recommend.
I liked Turner as well. He was a bit of a jerk at the start, but I can only imagine his eye roll when he was forced to take on Bly as part of her community service. The kids in the camp were awesome, too. I nearly had to stop myself from signing up to volunteer at a camp for troubled teens (which would have been a complete disaster). The love story between Turner and Bly was well-paced and believable despite the insta-love element (I am biased here, though, because I love stories with insta-love.)
I like to think that I laugh more than the average person, but I didn’t find this romantic comedy funny. Cute? Definitely. But funny? Not really.
Overall, a fun quick read that I would recommend.
May 18, 2016
***Reviewed for Amo & Sarah’s Book Corner***
It’s funny how all your dreams can get changed in one moment in time?! Everything you think you wanted, don’t seem to matter anymore when you’re forced to take a step back and take a look.
Bly Daniels is a 46 year old tenured professor of English Literature. When her dreams are shattered at a college reunion at the sight her ex college sweetheart she thinks she’s destined to be alone forever. The day then goes from bad to worse when she gets forced to spend 4 weeks at The Wild Way wilderness camp after swerving and hitting town property with her car as community service working with wayward foster teenagers. Not only does she realise she’s privileged but that there’s a whole life out there that she’s missed out on. Bly finds herself while helping a 16 year old with her problems and opens up a whole new world for herself including a certain Turner Wild….
“We don’t try. We do.”
This was sweet, funny in parts and totally angst free. I loved the slow burn that was created between Bly and Turner. I loved the characters and loved it was written on an older age range. I hadn’t read anything from Dakota Madison before but I will definitely be checking out her other books.
4 Stars!
Sarah.
It’s funny how all your dreams can get changed in one moment in time?! Everything you think you wanted, don’t seem to matter anymore when you’re forced to take a step back and take a look.
Bly Daniels is a 46 year old tenured professor of English Literature. When her dreams are shattered at a college reunion at the sight her ex college sweetheart she thinks she’s destined to be alone forever. The day then goes from bad to worse when she gets forced to spend 4 weeks at The Wild Way wilderness camp after swerving and hitting town property with her car as community service working with wayward foster teenagers. Not only does she realise she’s privileged but that there’s a whole life out there that she’s missed out on. Bly finds herself while helping a 16 year old with her problems and opens up a whole new world for herself including a certain Turner Wild….
“We don’t try. We do.”
This was sweet, funny in parts and totally angst free. I loved the slow burn that was created between Bly and Turner. I loved the characters and loved it was written on an older age range. I hadn’t read anything from Dakota Madison before but I will definitely be checking out her other books.
4 Stars!
Sarah.
May 20, 2016
I give this book 4 stars. It was a very well written book,easy to read and quite enjoyable. This is the first book I've read by this author and can't wait to read more. It was actually funnier than I thought but also has very strong messages in it.
College professor Bly Daniels thinks that even a short walk outside is torture. Known for being the stodgy professor, and the girl that always had her nose in a book life hasn't went as planned. So when she is arrested and her choices are 30 days at a wilderness camp or 15 months in jail, she thinks she picks the lesser of the evils. Until she arrives at the camp....lol
Turner Wild runs the wilderness camp and is everything Bly despises, rugged,unrefined and outdoorsy. But there is just something about him she drawn too. And the more she gets to know him the more she likes. And she never expected to form a strong relationship with one of the troubled teens at camp. With camping, troubled teens and a sexy camp director things turn around for Bly.
I don't want to give to much away but this is a must read. A perfect summer read that I would recommend.
College professor Bly Daniels thinks that even a short walk outside is torture. Known for being the stodgy professor, and the girl that always had her nose in a book life hasn't went as planned. So when she is arrested and her choices are 30 days at a wilderness camp or 15 months in jail, she thinks she picks the lesser of the evils. Until she arrives at the camp....lol
Turner Wild runs the wilderness camp and is everything Bly despises, rugged,unrefined and outdoorsy. But there is just something about him she drawn too. And the more she gets to know him the more she likes. And she never expected to form a strong relationship with one of the troubled teens at camp. With camping, troubled teens and a sexy camp director things turn around for Bly.
I don't want to give to much away but this is a must read. A perfect summer read that I would recommend.
June 14, 2016
This was a great little comedy! I loved the main characters and their outlook on life. Though they sometimes were wrong, they had no plan to change, until life brought the change to them.
It was great reading along as our leading lady learned a lot about what life and could be like. I found the author made her very relatable, but also very funny. She had a way of making it very easy to connect with her. Though I am very different from the character, I still found ways that I could relate.
The pace of the story was excellent. It was smooth and fast enough that it felt real and very believable. I liked that, as it gave the story a life feel, which pulled me in even more. With the pace, comedic tones and detail, I was completely hooked on this book, from page one.
I found the book very creative as well. I have read a lot of romantic comedies and this one was very fresh and different. I liked that, as it made it very fun to dive right in and read along with the journey. I recommend this to anyone who wants a light, fun read and for those who love rom-com.
**I received this book for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
It was great reading along as our leading lady learned a lot about what life and could be like. I found the author made her very relatable, but also very funny. She had a way of making it very easy to connect with her. Though I am very different from the character, I still found ways that I could relate.
The pace of the story was excellent. It was smooth and fast enough that it felt real and very believable. I liked that, as it gave the story a life feel, which pulled me in even more. With the pace, comedic tones and detail, I was completely hooked on this book, from page one.
I found the book very creative as well. I have read a lot of romantic comedies and this one was very fresh and different. I liked that, as it made it very fun to dive right in and read along with the journey. I recommend this to anyone who wants a light, fun read and for those who love rom-com.
**I received this book for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
December 18, 2016
Since I discovered this author I have seen her work with various genres and has never disappointed me. Not even in this case. It 's a funny and brilliant comedy, which also deals with some sensitive issues.
Bly is a forty year old single teacher who loves to read. If it was for her she would live in a library. For a series of unfortunate events she must spend a month at The Wild Way, a desert camp and take care of some rebellious teenagers. Mud, snakes, spiders is not exactly her ideal environment but discovers she has a great ability to adapt. To help her there is Turner Wild, the fascinating and mysterious boss of the camp.
All the characters are amazing. Bly is a smart woman but very private, has suffered a lot in the past and she is closed in on herself. She seems arrogant and cocky but she is actually very sensitive and sweet. Her dialogues and interactions with Turner are really hilarious no to mention her monologues.
It 's a funny story, full of humor but also romantic and moving. It 's written very well with a brilliant and witty style, It will grab your attention from the beginning and hold it through to the end and leave you begging for more.
Highly recommended
Bly is a forty year old single teacher who loves to read. If it was for her she would live in a library. For a series of unfortunate events she must spend a month at The Wild Way, a desert camp and take care of some rebellious teenagers. Mud, snakes, spiders is not exactly her ideal environment but discovers she has a great ability to adapt. To help her there is Turner Wild, the fascinating and mysterious boss of the camp.
All the characters are amazing. Bly is a smart woman but very private, has suffered a lot in the past and she is closed in on herself. She seems arrogant and cocky but she is actually very sensitive and sweet. Her dialogues and interactions with Turner are really hilarious no to mention her monologues.
It 's a funny story, full of humor but also romantic and moving. It 's written very well with a brilliant and witty style, It will grab your attention from the beginning and hold it through to the end and leave you begging for more.
Highly recommended
May 5, 2016
Ms. Madison has created a lovely reading experience, with a dash of poetry to enhance the romance. She did a really great job of helping the reader visualize the places where the action took place, especially the Bookman College site. I had a bit of trouble warming up to the heroine at first. It took me a few pages to realize that she wasn't snobby or stuck up, she was completely out of her element and used her extensive language skills to keep others at bay. That didn't last long, especially when she stopped turning her nose up at the H and admitted she had an attraction to him. I enjoyed the way the kids were integrated in to the story, especially Kia. I'd love to read about the other kids and how they did after their experience in the woods. The H was definitely someone that the reader could picture and relate to in real life. The sex is behind closed doors, but it wouldn't have made sense for it to be rip roaring, howling sex, given the circumstances. The epilogue added a sweet little aftertaste to an enjoyable read.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
May 24, 2016
Bly was a stick in the mud Engish professor who was not well liked because she was a hard cookie. After a misunderstanding and soe bitter feelings she finds herself on a road less traveled. While not prepared for the road ahead she is dressed in pumps and a suit. She finds herself over packed, breathless, blistered and among the free and closed off.
This adventured turns into raging waters and strong storms that send her on a mission to be a better person. Yes these are actual events but what stands out is how Bly allow someone in and places all her courage in just doing. No doubts, no regrets, just determination and drive. Turner in turn assist when he was raged and grabs the bull by the horn and reel in the Doc and her shadow.
This was a very deep book that was more educational on a deeper level than funny. Although there were moments of humor I found myself more engaged in the transformation of Dr. Bly Daniels than anything and especially loved the way she connected with Kia. This is a must read.
This adventured turns into raging waters and strong storms that send her on a mission to be a better person. Yes these are actual events but what stands out is how Bly allow someone in and places all her courage in just doing. No doubts, no regrets, just determination and drive. Turner in turn assist when he was raged and grabs the bull by the horn and reel in the Doc and her shadow.
This was a very deep book that was more educational on a deeper level than funny. Although there were moments of humor I found myself more engaged in the transformation of Dr. Bly Daniels than anything and especially loved the way she connected with Kia. This is a must read.
May 22, 2016
Book worm problems abound as daily life gets in the way of Bly's passion for books and reading. When her passion leads her to complete community service at a wilderness camp for young people, it is her worst nightmare come true. Anti-social Bly is forced out of her comfort zone and into the wild with camp leader Turner. With an ineptitude for anything but books, this is a comedy of errors for Bly and she struggles to fit into the natural world. Hot camp leader Turner, though, pushes her outside her comfort zone and she may just learn that life outside books is good.
This was fun, quirky and humorous read but with a serious under-lying message. I loved the voice of Bly in the telling of the story and the way she changes over the course of the book. It was a light hearted look at camping and a reminder that you are never too old to learn and to change.
***Reviewed for LBM Book Blog***
This was fun, quirky and humorous read but with a serious under-lying message. I loved the voice of Bly in the telling of the story and the way she changes over the course of the book. It was a light hearted look at camping and a reminder that you are never too old to learn and to change.
***Reviewed for LBM Book Blog***
August 3, 2016
Overall: - 4/5
Amount of sex - 1.5 / 5
How explicit - 2 / 5
Romance - 4 / 5
Bly Daniel’s is an English professor at Bookman University. She is in her mid-40’s, follows all the rules, and very set in her ways. As she drives home from her class reunion, she has an accident. The officer who pulls her over has a grudge against her as she failed him years ago, resulting in him losing his scholarship. As payback he sends her to 30 days of community service as a counselor at a troubled teens camp. Turner Wild is the owner of the camp and is a pretty amazing guy…. he’s hot, caring, and very patient. Bly arrives in heals all dressed up and so out of her element, it is pretty darn funny.
I did not read the first book in this series and had no issues understanding the story. The story was a fun, quick read with a sweet romance. I recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a delightful story with not too many sex scenes. **ARC was received in exchange or an honest review**
Amount of sex - 1.5 / 5
How explicit - 2 / 5
Romance - 4 / 5
Bly Daniel’s is an English professor at Bookman University. She is in her mid-40’s, follows all the rules, and very set in her ways. As she drives home from her class reunion, she has an accident. The officer who pulls her over has a grudge against her as she failed him years ago, resulting in him losing his scholarship. As payback he sends her to 30 days of community service as a counselor at a troubled teens camp. Turner Wild is the owner of the camp and is a pretty amazing guy…. he’s hot, caring, and very patient. Bly arrives in heals all dressed up and so out of her element, it is pretty darn funny.
I did not read the first book in this series and had no issues understanding the story. The story was a fun, quick read with a sweet romance. I recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a delightful story with not too many sex scenes. **ARC was received in exchange or an honest review**
August 19, 2016
Gone Wild (Love in Midlife Series) book 2 by Madison Dakota
At first, I really didn't like this book..I am not a fan of reading in the 1st person (POV)....But, I did keep reading, and got to watch Tenured English professor Bly Daniels grow from being someone that believes the short walk from her campus office to the university library is too much exposure to the harsh elements of the outdoors, She would prefer to spend her days (and nights) comfortably seated indoors reading classic literature. To become so much more as she learned to look beyond herself. Turner Wild run The Wild Way, a therapeutic wilderness program for troubled teens, he is everything that Bly hates, rugged, unrefined and outdoorsy. For Bly a trip to hell sounds more desirable than spending an entire month with Turner and Teenagers communing with nature.
The personal growth with Bly, Turner, and Kia was great feel good story.
Fast read, funny and enjoyable..
At first, I really didn't like this book..I am not a fan of reading in the 1st person (POV)....But, I did keep reading, and got to watch Tenured English professor Bly Daniels grow from being someone that believes the short walk from her campus office to the university library is too much exposure to the harsh elements of the outdoors, She would prefer to spend her days (and nights) comfortably seated indoors reading classic literature. To become so much more as she learned to look beyond herself. Turner Wild run The Wild Way, a therapeutic wilderness program for troubled teens, he is everything that Bly hates, rugged, unrefined and outdoorsy. For Bly a trip to hell sounds more desirable than spending an entire month with Turner and Teenagers communing with nature.
The personal growth with Bly, Turner, and Kia was great feel good story.
Fast read, funny and enjoyable..
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